A Guide to
Nunavut Archaeology
and Artifacts
for Northern Communities
Acknowledgments
Writing by: Brendan Griebel
Design by: Brendan Griebel
Project management by:
Torsten Diesel, Inuit Heritage Trust
The Inuit Heritage Trust would like
to extend its thanks to the following
individuals and organizations for
their contributions to the Nunavut
Archaeology and Artifacts booklet
series:
• Curriculum and School Services,
Nunavut Department of Education
• Government of Nunavut
Department of Culture and
Heritage
• Tourism and Cultural Industries,
Nunavut Department of Economic
Development and Transportation.
• Nunavut Tourism
• Parks Canada, Nunavut Field Unit
• Krista Zawadski
• Luke Suluk
• Kevin Kelly
• Nick Amautinuar
• Joanasie Qappiq
• David Aglukkaq
• William Beveridge
• Ralph Kownak
• Sharon Thomson
• Ken Beardsale
• Sue Ball
• Sylvie LeBlanc
• Max Friesen
© 2014 Inuit Heritage Trust
A Guide to
Nunavut Archaeology and Artifacts
for Northern Communities
Explaining this Guidebook
Nunavut: A Land of History and Ancestors
Archaeology: Uncovering the Past
A History of Archaeology in the Arctic
Archaeology in Nunavut Today
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
Archaeological Artifacts in Nunavut
Photographing Archaeological Artifacts and Sites
Archaeological Sites in Nunavut
Human Remains
Archaeology in Conservation Areas
Archaeology and Nunavut Communities
Who to Contact with Questions and Concerns
References and Resources
2-5
6-9
10-13
14-17
18-21
22-31
32-37
38-39
40-43
44-47
48-53
54-57
58-61
62-63
Explaining this Guidebook
to communicate stories about
the lives of the people who
once made and used them. As
tools previously used by Inuit
Nunavut is a territory deep with
ancestors, and tools used by
tradition and history. For the
modern populations to learn
last five thousand years, the
about these ancestors, artifacts
Canadian Arctic has been home
should be respected and
to different cultural groups
preserved.
who have not just survived
from the land, but developed
While most Nunavummiut
rich lifestyles to celebrate the
have come into contact with old
world through art, religion and
objects on the land or in their
storytelling. With the passing
communities, few people know
of time, many of these traditions
what to do with them when they
have changed or disappeared.
find them and may wonder:
Often they exist only as
memories and the stories passed
• Do old tools belong to
down through generations.
whoever finds them?
• Can old sites be reused or
Almost anyone who has walked
should they be avoided?
on the land in Nunavut has seen
• Should all old things be
traces of past life in the form of
donated to a museum?
old tools and sites. These same
objects, known as ‘artifacts,’ can
In Nunavut, guidelines and
also be found in homes and
regulations have been put in
museums where Nunavummiut
place to help keep artifacts
use them to remember and
safe and accessible to future
learn about the past. These
generations. Many of these
materials have a special ability
Why was this booklet
written?
2
Explaining this Guidebook
Who is this booklet
written for?
regulations were created by
Inuit during the process of
Nunavut’s land claim settlement
and its formation as a new
Canadian territory. They have
specifically been written for
Nunavummiut so that they can
help preserve Nunavut’s history.
These guidelines also apply
to archaeology, a profession
that studies artifacts to build
knowledge about the past.
This booklet was written for
people who have questions
about how Inuit, Nunavummiut,
archaeologists and developers
should interact with old artifacts
and sites in Nunavut. Many
rules and guidelines have been
created by the Government of
Nunavut for this purpose, but
these are often presented in
very complicated and technical
language. This booklet will
explain about archaeology and
artifacts in more basic terms.
This booklet is directed towards
three main groups:
This booklet is designed
to help Nunavummiut and
archaeologists become aware
of their responsibilities to
protect Nunavut’s artifacts
and history. The booklet
explains the best practices
that exist for interacting with
• Nunavummiut who are
old artifacts and sites, and for
curious about the rules that
how archaeology should take
have been set up to protect
place in the territory. These
history in their territory.
practices allow local people to
This might be people who
take a stronger role in managing
find artifacts on the land and
their own heritage and make
do not know what to do with
sure incoming researchers and
them, or people who want
developers treat the territory’s
to know what happens to the
history with a similar respect.
3
Explaining this Guidebook
artifacts that are removed during archaeological
excavations.
1. Archaeological sites and
artifacts
• What makes an object an
‘artifact,’ and when does a
place become a ‘site’?
• What do artifacts tell us
about the past?
• Who do artifacts and sites
belong to?
• Where do artifacts go when
they are dug up during an
archaeological excavation?
• What to do when you find
an artifact on the land?
• Nunavut businesses and
organizations who wish
to use this information
to instruct clients and
employees on best practices
concerning archaeological
artifacts and sites.
• Archaeologists and
developers who wish to
interact with old artifacts
and sites in Nunavut.
2. The profession of archaeology
What will this booklet
talk about?
• What is archaeology?
• How can archaeology help to
This booklet will discuss three
understand the Inuit past?
important areas related to
history in Nunavut. The booklet • When did archaeology begin
in the Arctic and how has it
will answer some of the most
changed since then?
common questions that are
• Who is responsible for
asked by Nunavummiut about
managing archaeology in
each of these topics:
Nunavut?
4
Explaining this Guidebook
• What permits and rules do
archaeologists have to follow?
• How can Inuit participate in
archaeology?
How can this booklet be
used?
This booklet has collected
information from a combination
of policies, people and
regulations across Nunavut. It
concentrates on presenting this
information in plain language.
In doing so, many details have
been left out. The material in
this booklet is provided only
as a broad overview of rules
and regulations to help people
make best practice decisions
about artifacts and heritage. It
is not intended to be read as a
series of explicit rules. If people
want more exact information
or the legal wording of certain
regulations, this booklet will tell
them who to contact or which
resources to look through for
more detailed information.
3. Responsibilities to the past
• What responsibilities do
Nunavummiut have towards
historical objects?
• What should I do if I
feel that someone else (a
company, researcher or
private person) might be
disturbing archaeological
sites?
• How can local people report
sites and artifacts they have
found?
5
Nunavut: A Land of History and Ancestors
“In the very first times
there was no light on
earth. Everything was
in darkness, the lands
could not be seen, the
animals could not be
seen. And still, both
people and animals lived
on earth, but there was
no difference between
them...They may have
had different habits,
but all spoke the same
tongue, lived in the same
kind of house, and spoke
and hunted in the same
way. That is the way they
lived here on earth in
the very earliest times,
times that no one can
understand now.”
Have Inuit always lived
in the Canadian Arctic?
The origins of the Inuit people,
as told through their legends,
belong to a time long ago when
animals, people and the Arctic
landscape were one. The first
material evidence for Inuit
living in the Canadian Arctic
has been dated by archaeologists
to around 1250 AD. These
early ancestors of the Inuit
are known as ‘Sivulliit,’ or ‘the
first ones.’ Archaeologists have
named this group the ‘Thule,’ or
‘Neo-Eskimo,’ people. Before
the arrival of the Thule, the
Canadian Arctic was inhabited
by various different cultural
groups who came and went
from the region starting around
3000 B.C. While archaeologists
call these early populations
‘Paleo-Eskimo’ people, they
also name and group them
according to the different ways
in which they lived and the
types of tools that they used.
-From a story told to Knud
Rasmussen in 1931 by
Naalungiaq, a Netsilingmiut
man.
6
Nunavut: A Land of History and Ancestors
When Inuit entered the
Canadian Arctic, they likely
overlapped with another
cultural group known to Inuit as
the ‘Tuniit’ and to archaeologists
as the ‘Dorset’ people. Inuit
stories describe them as a race
of very strong, yet shy, people
who hunted with massive
strength and simple tools, and
made their buildings with large
boulders. What happened to
the Tuniit when the first Inuit
arrived is still not fully known.
Inuit have many stories about
how the two groups interacted,
but archaeologists have never
found any material evidence
of the two groups meeting or
living together. It is still not
known why the Thule people
migrated into the Canadian
Arctic from their previous home
in northern Alaska. Various
theories have been suggested as
to why the Thule would leave
a familiar place for a new and
relatively unknown land. These
theories include:
• The Thule were searching for
new sources of metal, which
was one of the most valuable
resources at that time;
• The Thule were escaping
from negative social
conditions in Alaska, which
included overpopulation and
warfare;
• The Thule were following
bowhead whale migrations
that moved increasingly
eastward as the climate
became warmer.
Regardless of their reasons for
moving, Thule people soon
found themselves in a land very
different from the driftwood
and whale-rich coasts of Alaska.
7
Nunavut: A Land of History and Ancestors
How have Inuit adjusted
to the Arctic
environment?
their lifestyle. The High
Arctic was abandoned, with
populations moving to less
ice-locked locations. During
winters, groups began to
When the first Thule pioneers
construct and live in snow
arrived in the Canadian Arctic, houses on the sea ice, which
they tried living in a similar way allowed them to focus their
to their Alaskan ancestors. They diet around seal hunting. In
built large and elaborate winter the summers, inland caribou
houses, the earliest of which had hunting became more popular.
kitchens as separate rooms so
Settlement sizes became smaller
that food could be cooked over and less permanent than before
an open fire. As in Alaska, their so groups could re-locate
main food source continued
more often to harvest a wider
to be bowhead whales, which
variety of animals. Life began to
they hunted in teams from a
change even more dramatically
type of large boat known as
after 1500 A.D., and especially
the ‘umiak.’ The skill, danger
after 1800 A.D., when explorers
and large rewards in hunting
and whalers from Europe began
these animals gave them great
arriving in great numbers.
symbolism in Thule society and
rituals.
Why do regional
differences exist in Inuit
culture?
Around 1400 A.D., the climate
began to cool again and the sea
ice increased, resulting in fewer
whales and more dangerous
whale hunting conditions. The
Thule people began adjusting
By the late 1600s, Inuit had
abandoned many of their early
Thule ancestors’ ways of life.
8
Nunavut: A Land of History and Ancestors
The practice of bowhead whale
and large sea mammal hunting
decreased in most areas. Kayaks
and umiaks became used more
for travel, fishing and hunting
caribou in rivers. Technology
also changed during this period.
Early Thule people had created
ornate tools that were very
task specific. Over time, these
toolkits became less decorated,
and contained more broadly
usable tools.
Learn more about
past cultures in the
Arctic!
Click on this icon at the
Arctic Peoples and
Archaeology website.
Connect to the site at
www.ihti.ca
As groups of Inuit adapted
to different areas and
environments across the Arctic,
they became more diverse.
Regional variations began
appearing in tools, housing,
language and clothing. These
variations have been passed
along through generations,
and can still be seen among
regional Inuit groups such
as the Netsilingmiut, the
Umingmaktuurmiut, and the
Utkuhiksalingmiut.
9
Archaeology: Uncovering the Past
archaeologists are able to better
picture the lives of past people
and cultures.
What is archaeology?
Archaeology is the study of
the human past. Archaeology
often involves the collection
and analysis of material objects,
known as ‘artifacts,’ that people
throughout history have left
behind. Artifacts can be as small
as a single tool or as big as an
entire house. Artifacts can also
be materials such as animal
bones or landscapes that have
become altered by humans.
Sometimes these artifacts are
found on top of the ground, and
other times archaeologists have
to dig into, or ‘excavate,’ the
ground to locate them.
Why is context
important?
Context is one of the most
important ideas to the practice
of archaeology. Context refers
to the relationship that artifacts
have to each other and to the
environment in which they
are found. When doing an
excavation, archaeologists
carefully record the exact place
where every artifact is found.
This helps them understand
what was being done with an
artifact before it fell to the
ground. Finding a specific
tool in a pile of butchered
bones, for example, allows
archaeologists to see that the
tool might have been used as
part of the butchering process.
Context allows archaeologists
to understand the relationships
between artifacts on the same
A good way to understand
archaeology is through a
comparison to puzzle solving.
Archaeologists see the human
past as a big unfinished jigsaw
puzzle. Each artifact an
archaeologist finds helps them
to fill in another piece of the
puzzle. As the puzzle fills in,
10
Archaeology: Uncovering the Past
site, as well as how different
archaeological sites are related
to each other. When people
remove artifacts from the land
without recording their precise
locations, artifacts lose all of
their contextual information
and have less value for
reconstructing what happened
in the past.
Step 1: Forming Questions
The first step in archaeology is
to think up specific questions
about the past that can possibly
be answered by researching
archaeological sites. Examples
might include:
• How did people hunt
caribou 600 years ago?
• How have people’s diets
changed over the last one
thousand years?
• Why did people stop living
in a certain area?
How do archaeologists
research the past?
Archaeological projects can
draw on many different kinds of
knowledge. Some archaeologists
specialize in animal bones or
old tools, while others examine
DNA evidence, or compare old
sites with written documents.
Some archaeologists only work
under water. Regardless of what
type of artifact, time period, or
culture archaeology focuses on,
it usually employs a very
similar research process:
Archaeological sites are rare
and valuable resources that are
often only investigated once. It
is therefore important to have
a strong research question to
make sure that they are dug up
for a good reason.
11
Archaeology: Uncovering the Past
Step 2: Site Survey
Step 3: Excavation
When archaeologists have
decided why they are going to
dig, they have to conduct a site
survey to decide where they will
be digging. A survey is usually
done by walking or flying over
a landscape to look for sites of a
particular place, time period or
culture relating to the research
question. In Nunavut, old sites
like houses are often very visible
on top of the ground. Other
types of sites remain buried,
and must be searched for more
carefully.
Excavation is the act of
digging up old sites to collect
information. This is done by
carefully removing the dirt that
covers the site and recording
all of the artifacts, building
materials and leftovers from past
uses of that area. The position of
each artifact is carefully mapped
to create context. Sometimes,
different activities occurred at
the same place over time and
have left numerous layers of
remains. These layers, called
‘strata,’ often vary in their color
and content, and also have to be
recorded in maps. The position
of layers and artifacts is often
related to age: a tool found in
a layer located deeper in the
ground is likely older than a tool
found on the surface.
12
Archaeology: Uncovering the Past
Step 4: Data Collection
The word ‘data’ refers to
information about any detail
of an archaeological site
that helps archaeologists to
better understand the past.
Archaeologists must collect as
much of this information as
possible during their excavations
to make sure their interpretation
of the site is as well-informed
as possible. The collection
of archaeological data takes
place through photographs,
measurements, hand drawing
maps, and the analysis of
artifacts, animal bones, soil
samples, and any other materials
found at the site.
Step 5: Analysis and
Conservation
When an excavation is finished,
all the collected artifacts
and data are returned to the
workplace of the archaeologist
to be cleaned, studied and
pieced back together. Many
old artifacts are broken or fall
apart easily because of their age.
Conservation is the process of
repairing and stabilizing these
artifacts.
Step 6: Interpretation
When all the evidence from a
site is collected, organized and
catalogued, an archaeologist
will begin to develop a story
about the past using these
remains. As some data
will always be missing, it is
impossible to know if that
story actually represents what
really happened. The more
information and sources
(such as oral history, written
documents, and artifacts
from neighboring sites) an
archaeologist uses to develop
the story, the more detailed and
complete that story will be.
Step 7: Publication
The final step of an archaeology
project is to publish research
results in a book, journal or
plain-language document
for communities. This helps
other people learn about the
archaeology that took place and
the artifacts that were found. It
also gives other people a chance
to add to, or disagree with, the
story that the archaeologist is
putting forward about the past.
A History of Archaeology in the Arctic
While old artifacts were
sometimes altered, they were
always handled with the utmost
care and respect. Artifacts
found out on the land were
Before the arrival of Europeans considered to have been put
and archaeology to the
there for a specific reason, and
Canadian Arctic, Inuit had their were not touched out of respect
own cultural traditions for using for ancestors who left them
and thinking about artifacts.
behind. In many cases, these
Old artifacts found on the land cultural traditions are still found
were often used as educational
in modern Inuit communities.
tools to help tell stories and
teach younger generations about
Did archaeology change
different hunting methods or
the history of their people. Raw attitudes to artifacts?
materials from archaeological
Local attitudes towards old
sites were sometimes recycled,
artifacts began to change
with old tools being re-shaped
with the arrival of non-Inuit
or sharpened for re-use. In
explorers and whaling ships.
some cases, whalebone, stones
These newcomers showed a
and sod from old sites were
used to build new homes. Many strong interest in the region’s
material remains, and Inuit
Inuit possessed old or broken
found they could make good
artifacts that were sewn onto
money by digging up and
clothing as amulets to bring
selling collections of old tools.
good luck and transfer the
Inuit also began earning money
hunting talents of their former
as assistants on archaeological
owners onto the new wearer.
excavations. The first
How have Inuit
traditionally interacted
with artifacts?
14
A History of Archaeology in the Arctic
communities. While travel by
airplane increased the amount
of archaeological research being
done in the Arctic, it meant that
Inuit were less involved, and
had less control over how their
own history was researched.
excavation in the Canadian
Arctic happened in 1922,
and since then Inuit have
played a strong role in helping
archaeologists locate, dig, and
interpret old artifacts and sites.
During the beginnings of
archaeology in the Arctic,
archaeologists would spend
long periods of time living
with Inuit and learning their
language and ways of life.
Following the Second World
War, relationships between
archaeologists and Inuit began
to dissolve. With the building
of the DEW-Line (Distant Early
Warning radar), archaeologists
gained increased access to
airplane travel and non-Inuit
settlements, so they no longer
had to live with or rely on
Inuit to conduct their research.
Southern researchers could fly
up to archaeological sites for
summer work, and return to the
south without even interacting
with or visiting Inuit
Inuit find their voice for
the past
Archaeology in the Canadian
Arctic began to change in the
1970s with the formation of the
Inuit Tapirisat of Canada and
discussions around creating an
Inuit land claim settlement. As
Inuit from across the Northwest
Territories got together to find a
political voice, strong questions
began to be asked about both
the future and past of the Inuit
people. Inuit began to ask more
questions about archaeology,
including where the artifacts
being dug up were being sent,
and why Inuit did not have a say
15
A History of Archaeology in the Arctic
in that process. In 1976, the
Building guidelines
Inuit Cultural Institute and Inuit
for a more inclusive
Tapirisat of Canada presented a
archaeology
report to archaeologists critical
of their work in the Arctic.
In February of 1994, Inuit from
Several main arguments were
across the Canadian Arctic
made:
joined together in a conference
to discuss ways of making
• Archaeology was not
archaeology more acceptable
being made relevant
and useful to Inuit. In naming
for Inuit people, and
the conference Ittarniasalirijiit
did not seeking to meet
Katimajiit, “those who deal with
Inuit objectives;
the distant past,” its organizers
• Archaeologists were not
tried to point out both the deep
interacting enough with
history of Inuit culture and
local people;
the obligation of Inuit people
• Archaeological work
to protect that history. This
was more often being
meeting produced a series of
guided by the ‘expert’
new guidelines indicating how
opinions of visiting
Inuit wanted to see archaeology
researchers than by
take place. The spirit of these
Inuit ways of thinking.
guidelines was incorporated
Inuit began to recommend
into a new set of archaeological
that more committed
regulations for Nunavut in 2001.
These rules make it necessary
partnerships be developed
between researchers and Inuit
for archaeologists to:
to exchange knowledge and
manage historical resources in
the Arctic.
16
A History of Archaeology in the Arctic
• have their research proposals
reviewed and approved by
Inuit communities closest to
where the project will take place;
• hire local people as field
workers or other staff;
• report their project findings
back to communities and
the government;
• report their project findings
in plain language documents.
“Inuit communities are
becoming more involved
and more outspoken, Inuit
are asking more questions
about archaeological work
being conducted in their
area and are wondering
what happens to the
artifacts that leave with
the archaeologists after
the field season. People
tend to answer these
questions themselves, and
since they do not have all
the information at hand
they may come up with
wrong answers.”
Archaeologist-Nunavummiut
relations have varied throughout
time. Relationships tend to
improve when these two groups
work closely together and
communicate. During periods
when the groups do not share
ideas or understand each other’s
concerns, relationships tend
to get worse. For this reason,
the Government of Nunavut’s
new rules for archaeology try to
make sure that archaeologists
and Nunavummiut are in
communication and agreement
about the archaeological
projects that take place.
- Part of a speech given by
George Qulaut, Deborah
Webster and Gary Baikie at
an archaeology conference in
1992.
17
Archaeology in Nunavut Today
that Inuit have a special
relationship with such
evidence which shall
be expressed in terms
of special rights and
responsibilities.
Archaeology and the
Nunavut Land Claims
Agreement
The passing of the Nunavut
Land Claims Agreement
(NLCA) in 1993 gave rise to a
new era of archaeology in the
Canadian Arctic. The NLCA set
out broad guidelines for how
archaeology should be practiced
in the territory. These guidelines
are listed in Article 33, which
has been written specifically for
archaeology. As stated at the
start of Article 33:
In considering how archaeology
within the region is carried
out, Article 33 includes specific
guidelines for the following
areas:
• Setting up the Inuit Heritage
Trust as an organization to
encourage and represent
Inuit participation in
Nunavut archaeology;
• Creating a new permit
system to monitor how
archaeological surveys
and excavations happen in
Nunavut, and to ensure that
all the artifacts recovered
from those excavations are
dealt with in a proper way;
The archaeological record
of the Inuit of the Nunavut
Settlement Area is a record
of Inuit use and occupancy
of lands and resources
through time. The evidence
associated with their use
and occupancy represents
a cultural, historical and
ethnographic heritage of
Inuit society and, as such,
Government recognizes
18
Archaeology in Nunavut Today
• Ensuring that Inuit who
have appropriate skills or
training are given priority in
situations of archaeological
employment;
• Clarifying who owns
archaeological artifacts from
both the whole Nunavut
territory and Inuit-owned
lands within that territory.
Who is responsible for
protecting and managing
old sites and artifacts in
Nunavut?
While both the NLCA and
Archaeological Permit
Guidelines are available to
the public, many people find
it difficult to understand the
technical language used in
these documents. The following
section will discuss what these
documents mean in terms of
specific responsibilities for three
different groups in Nunavut:
When Nunavut officially
became a territory in 1999, it
required that a more specific
set of regulations be drawn up
to guide archaeological practice
and permitting in the territory.
In 2001, the Department of
Culture, Language, Elders
and Youth (now known as
the Department of Culture
and Heritage) published a
lengthy set of rules for how
archaeological permits are
applied for and processed.
1.Responsibilities of
Nunavummiut
The NCLA states that the
archaeological artifacts and
sites of Nunavut are considered
to be of spiritual, cultural,
religious and educational
importance to Inuit. Because
of this importance, Inuit are
responsible for being
19
Archaeology in Nunavut Today
manage the permit application
system. The Department has
a Territorial Archaeologist,
who is specifically trained
in archaeology and can
help oversee more technical
archaeological work and permit
proposals. The Department
shares archaeological
information and permit
responsibilities with the Inuit
Heritage Trust.
involved in their identification,
protection and conservation.
Inuit have a special obligation
to not only protect and preserve
the materials their ancestors
have left behind, but also to
participate in and help guide
archaeological work so that
it is done in a respectful and
relevant way. Nunavummiut in
general have a responsibility to
respect the material heritage of
the territory. This can be done
by following the regulations that
have been set out to manage and
protect artifacts and sites.
3.Responsibilities of the Inuit
Heritage Trust
The Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT)
was set up as part of the NLCA
2.Responsibilities of the
to support, encourage, and
Government of Nunavut
facilitate Inuit participation
in Nunavut archaeology. Its
The Government of Nunavut
responsibilities include creating
is responsible for protecting
old sites and artifacts on behalf programs to help educate and
train Inuit in archaeology. The
of all Nunavummiut. The
IHT is also responsible for
Department of Culture and
Heritage is the group designated helping Inuit review permits
for archaeological projects near
to oversee archaeological work
their communities. The IHT has
in the territory and to
a special position
20
Archaeology in Nunavut Today
Archaeological Contacts in
Nunavut
of Heritage Manager that
is dedicated to facilitating
community involvement in the
archaeological permit process.
Director of Heritage
Department of Culture and
Heritage
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 1000, Station 800
Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0
Telephone (867) 975-5524
Fax (867) 975-5504
Protected heritage areas
administered by Parks Canada
(for example, national parks) are
under federal jurisdiction, so
the territory of Nunavut is not
responsible for archaeology on
these lands. Parks Canada has
professional archaeologists who
do much of the archaeology in
Parks Canada protected areas.
Other archaeologists can also
work in these areas, if they get a
Parks Canada research permit.
Territorial Archaeologist
Department of Culture and
Heritage
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 310
Igloolik, NU X0A 0L0
Telephone (867) 975-2046
Fax (867) 975-2047
email:
[email protected]
Heritage Manager
Inuit Heritage Trust
P.O. Box 2080, Iqaluit
NU X0A 0H0
Telephone (867) 979-0731
Fax (867) 979-6700
email: [email protected]
21
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
permission from authorities
in the form of a permit. This
permit process was set up in
the Nunavut Land Claims
Agreement, and is overseen by
the Department of Culture and
Heritage, the Inuit Heritage
Trust, and in some cases, Parks
Canada.
How do archaeological
projects get permission
to take place in Nunavut?
The first step for archaeologists
who want to do research in
Nunavut is to contact Inuit
who might be affected by the
project. This includes Inuit
communities nearest to the
location where archaeologists
plan to do their work. While
these communities have to
be contacted as part of the
archaeological permit process,
archaeologists should begin
developing relationships and
project ideas with local people
and organizations as early in
the project as possible. Making
contact with Nunavummiut is
often hard for archaeologists to
do when they are not familiar
with a community or who to
contact for information.
Permits are always given out to
individuals, not groups. That
means that one archaeologist
must become the Chief
Investigator and apply on behalf
of an archaeological team.
There are two different types of
permits that archaeologists can
apply for depending on the type
of work they want to do:
Class 1 permits
A Class 1 permit allows an
archaeologist only to document
an archaeological site.
Documentation might include
preparing a map of a site,
recording a site’s geographic
Before any archaeologist is
allowed to conduct research in
Nunavut they must get
22
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
location, or writing down the
number and type of different
features (such as tent rings, or
inuksuit) present at the site.
An archaeologist with a Class 1
Permit is not allowed to collect
artifacts or other specimens at a
site. They are also not allowed to
dig, alter or disturb a site in any
way.
• Confirmation that land
owners and affected
communities have been
consulted.
This type of permit is suitable
for projects where the interest is
in documenting history without
actually excavating old sites or
collecting artifacts. For example,
oral history projects might
combine stories and memories
about an area with records
about the number and type of
old sites that are still visible
there today.
In order to get a Class 1 Permit,
an archaeologist must fill out an
application form that describes
the following information:
• The researcher’s name,
affiliation, and qualifications;
• Names, affiliations, and
qualifications of other team
members;
• Geographic area and
coordinates of the project
(including a map);
• Time frame of the project;
• A summary of the aims and
objectives of the proposed
project;
• Who is sponsoring the
project;
Class 2 permits
A Class 2 permit allows
archaeologists to document
artifacts and archaeological
sites, as well as excavate and
remove artifacts and other
materials from them. Because
this type of permit allows
archaeological sites to be dug
up and sometimes destroyed, it
requires archaeologists to prove
23
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
This type of permit is applied
for when projects seek to
understand the past by
recording the position and type
of artifacts within old sites.
These projects can still use oral
history and other forms of nonWhen an archaeologist applies
material information to help
for a Class 2 Permit they must
include the same information as build a better picture of the site’s
history.
Class 1 permits in addition to
the following information:
Parks Canada permits do not
distinguish between different
• A budget, including how
much money will be spent to classes of archaeological work,
conserve excavated artifacts; but allow for the same kinds of
• Who will fund the work and research activities as permits
from the Government of
whether this funding has
Nunavut. They are also very
been confirmed;
• Description of plans for site similar to Nunavut permits
restoration;
in their requirements for the
analysis and care of collected
• A statement about
artifacts after the archaeology
what forms of artifact
project is completed.
conservation might need
to take place and where
artifacts and specimens
will be housed while being
researched.
that they are qualified for the
research, and that they have
specific plans to take care of and
store artifacts while they are
being researched.
24
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
out on the land specifically
to search for archaeological
artifacts or sites.
Can someone who is not
an archaeologist apply
to record sites or dig up
artifacts?
If a researcher, developer or
business owner who is not an
archaeologist wants to apply
Archaeologists are people who
for a Class 1 Permit, they are
are specifically trained to record
allowed to do so. Examples of
the past. They have often gone
this might include a biologist
through long years of schooling
recording old hunting sites
and know the proper ways
to determine where animals
to handle and store artifacts
lived in the past. Cruise ship
without breaking them. They
operators must also apply for
are not, however, the only
this permit if they want to bring
people who have the right to
tourists to look at old sites. In
interact with old artifacts and
order to apply for a Class 1
sites.
permit you do not have to be a
trained archaeologist. To receive
Nunavummiut do not need
permits to look at or record the a Class 2 permit, a person
usually has to have advanced
position of an archaeological
training in archaeology. In
site or artifacts for personal
many cases, companies
reasons. When found on the
wishing to do construction or
land, however, artifacts should
development will have to hire
never be moved from their
archaeologists to get a Class 2
original places, and old sites
permit to properly document or
should never be altered. The
remove old sites and artifacts.
Government of Nunavut
discourages Inuit from going
25
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
Step 1
Who Approves
Permit Applications
for Archaeology?
The application is sent to
the Chief Archaeologist
who makes sure all of its
information is complete.
Incomplete applications are
sent back to the researcher
to make changes and send it
back in. The application will
not be processed if all the
required information is not
included.
Nunavut has developed a
process for reviewing permits
that allows applications to
be read and evaluated by
multiple organizations and
interest groups. The permit
review process can often take
several months to complete,
so researchers have to submit
applications a minimum of
90 days before their project is
scheduled to take place. The
following diagram will show
how reviewing permits takes
place.
Step 2
The Department of Culture
and Heritage translates the
completed applications into
Inuktitut, and sends both
English and Inuktitut copies to
the Inuit Heritage Trust. The
Inuit Heritage Trust reviews
the application and organizes
reviews in communities close
to, or affected by, the suggested
work. Community reviews
are undertaken by cultural,
heritage and municipal
organizations such as hamlet
26
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
Step 2 (cont.)
Step 4
councils, regional Inuit
organizations, or local
heritage societies.
Applications can also be sent
to organizations outside of
Nunavut for their opinions on
the project.
If any application reviewers
raises concerns over a project,
these concerns are sent back
to the applicant and must be
addressed before a permit is
issued. Sometimes a permit
will be issued with certain
conditions attached, or not
issued at all.
Step 3
The Chief Archaeologist
reviews each application
and makes permitting
recommendations to the
Nunavut Director of Heritage.
This round of review takes into
account technical details of the
project such as the applicant’s
qualifications, whether the
research is justified, how
the research is designed
and will take place, artifact
conservation plans, plans
for site restoration, budget,
community consultation
and sharing of results, and
whether or not the researcher
has followed the rules during
previous projects in Nunavut.
Step 5
When the review and
consultation concerning
a permit application are
complete, the Department of
Culture and Heritage has three
choices:
• Issue a permit for the
work originally outlined in the application;
• Issue a permit with
conditions attached;
• Refuse to issue a
permit, and provide the
reasons for the refusal
to the applicant.
27
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
significance to Inuit. They
can also object to a project
if they do not feel it is
benefiting or trying to involve
local Inuit.
Why are archaeology
permits refused?
There are several reasons why a
permit may be refused during
the review process.
Are any other permits
needed to do archaeology
in Nunavut?
1. The person applying for a
permit is not qualified to do
the work or the reasons for
doing the research are not
considered justified.
While an archaeology permit
gives permission to do
archaeological research in
2. The person applying for a
the territory, it does not give
permit has not completed
permission to use the land a
their obligations from
project takes place on. If a
projects in the past. All
project involves excavation,
permit requirements from
there are many more permits
previous projects have to be that need to be applied for
finished before a new permit including a Land Use permit, an
is applied for.
Access to Inuit Owned Lands
permit, a Water Use permit and
3. The Inuit Heritage Trust
a Firearms Acquisition permit.
objects to the project. This
If archaeologists plan to collect
organization is allowed to
traditional knowledge as part of
object to archaeological
their project, they are required
work if it will disturb an
to get a research permit for
archaeological site of
that purpose from the Nunavut
religious or spiritual
Research Institute. If the
28
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
when an archaeological
excavation or survey of sites
is finished. Researchers are
given until March 31st of the
following year to complete
permit requirements for
properly cleaning, cataloguing
and reporting on all the artifacts
they found during their work.
proposal is for archaeology
in areas managed by Parks
Canada, the researcher must
obtain a Parks Canada permit,
instead of a permit from the
Government of Nunavut.
An archaeologist gets
their permits. What
happens next?
Watch an
archaeological
excavation in action!
If an archaeologist applies for
and receives all of the permits
they need to do research, they
are licensed to begin their
project in Nunavut. The project
must take place in a way that is
similar to how it was described
in the application and must take
place within a year of applying
for the permit.
Click this icon at the
Arctic Peoples and
Archaeology website.
Connect to the site at:
www.ihti.ca
What happens when an
archaeological excavation
or survey is finished?
An archaeologist’s permit
requirements are not complete
29
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
Permit deadlines for
archaeological projects
90 days before
fieldwork starts
September 30th
• Deadline for
archaeological permit
applications to be sent in.
Permits must be received
by March 31st.
• Archaeologists must
send a non-technical
summary of the
fieldwork and two
photographs to the
Department of Culture
and Heritage for use
in public education
programs and in
an annual report of
fieldwork.
60 days after fieldwork
is finished
• Archaeologists must
send in site forms to the
Department of Culture
and Heritage. These
forms list details about
all the archaeological
sites discovered or
revisited. A 1:50,000 map
showing the locations
of all the sites or a list
of GPS coordinates also
have to be provided.
December 31st
• An archaeologist’s permit
to do fieldwork expires
on this date.
30
Archaeology and the Nunavut Permit Process
• Archaeologists must
provide the Department
of Culture and Heritage
with a summary report
on the animal remains
recovered from each
archaeological project.
The report must describe
information about the
remains such as what
type of bones or remains
were found and what
animals they came from.
March 31st of following
year
• Archaeologists must
send a technical
report to all the Inuit
organizations listed on
the permit and to the
community nearest the
research area. A copy
must also be sent to the
Government of Nunavut.
• Archaeologists must
catalogue and number
the collection of artifacts,
material samples, animal
remains, field notes,
maps and photographs
from the year’s research
and send it to the storage
center specified on their
permit.
• Archaeologists
must send fieldwork
documents such as
field notes, maps,
photographs, and videos
to the Department of
Culture and Heritage.
• Archaeologists must
send a catalogue for their
archaeology collection
to the Department of
Culture and Heritage.
31
Archaeological Artifacts in Nunavut
What is an archaeological • Nunavut’s archaeological
artifacts are properly
artifact?
recorded, so that
information exists about
what kind of artifacts have
been discovered, and where
those objects are stored;
• Archaeological artifacts do
not become the property
of individual people. These
artifacts are part of a cultural
heritage that belongs to all
Inuit and should be made
accessible as learning tools
to Inuit and non-Inuit alike.
An archaeological artifact is a
human-made object from the
past. Archaeological artifacts
are everywhere in Nunavut,
and can be found in museums,
on the land, and in personal
and family collections. While
many Nunavummiut know
old artifacts when they see
them, few recognize that the
territory has created important
guidelines about how these
artifacts should be interacted
with. These guidelines were
developed to help make sure
that:
How are archaeological
artifacts defined in
Nunavut?
• The context of
archaeological artifacts is
well preserved, so that both
archaeologists and nonarchaeologists can use it to
build a better picture of the
past;
Despite their name,
archaeological artifacts do not
belong to archaeologists. The
Government of Nunavut defines
an archaeological artifact as:
32
Archaeological Artifacts in Nunavut
“any tangible evidence
of human activity that
is more than 50 years
old, in respect of which
an unbroken chain of
possession or regular
pattern of usage cannot
be demonstrated.”
How is an archaeological
artifact different from an
ethnographic artifact?
An ethnographic artifact is
similar to an archaeological
artifact in that it is something
made, modified or used
This means that an archaeological by humans. Both types of
materials are collected and
artifact is:
documented by researchers
• Any form of material object trying to better understand
human culture. While
that has been used by
archaeological artifacts are
humans, not just old tools
and old tent rings. Examples old, ethnographic artifacts
have usually been made more
of archaeological artifacts
recently, so there are fewer
include clothing, inuksuit,
guidelines that describe how
animal bones, and old
they should be collected.
garbage dumps;
Examples of an ethnographic
• An object that was made
artifact might include a
more than 50 years ago;
• An object that has not been homemade tool or parka, a
soapstone carving, or a modern
inherited, or handed down
qamutik. An ethnographic
through families or from
artifact can also be made by
person to person;
non-Inuit, but to be significant
• An object that is no longer
to Inuit heritage, it must at least
being regularly used by
have been used by or worked on
Nunavummiut.
by Inuit.
33
Archaeological Artifacts in Nunavut
Ethnographic artifacts can be
owned by individual people or
museums. Special laws have
been put in place that allow the
Inuit Heritage Trust to request
the return of ethnographic
artifacts from museum
collections outside of Nunavut
as long as it can be proved the
objects will be transported and
displayed under safe conditions.
• Artifacts collected and
owned by museums or
individuals prior to the
signing of the Nunavut Land
Claims Agreement in 1993.
Nunavut has no territorial
facility to store and look after
its artifacts. Because of this,
artifacts are often loaned out
to other institutions such as
universities and museums.
Who owns archaeological Archaeologists can not keep and
artifacts?
do not own the artifacts they
find during their excavations.
However, they are required to
study and report on the artifacts
they find, and are allowed to
borrow them from Nunavut for
that purpose. An annual loan
agreement for the artifacts must
be signed if they are borrowed
longer than a year after their
collection. If the Government
• Public records;
of Nunavut and Inuit Heritage
• A person’s private property; Trust both agree, an artifact
• Artifacts in an area managed can be loaned out to a museum
by Parks Canada Agency;
or another institution for a long
period of time.
Inuit own the artifacts of their
ancestors. The Government
of Nunavut and the Inuit
Heritage Trust are responsible
for overseeing the collection,
research and storage of all
archaeological artifacts except
for:
34
Archaeological Artifacts in Nunavut
Can archaeological
artifacts be kept if found
on the land?
not been constructed yet, so
arrangements have been made
to store collections in other
facilities outside of Nunavut.
Old artifacts should always be
left undisturbed when they
are found. When an artifact
is moved it loses its context,
or relationship with the place
it was left by past generations.
Lack of context makes an
artifact’s history more difficult
to understand. The rules in
Nunavut do not allow artifacts
to be taken home when they are
found.
Most of the archaeological
collections are stored in the
Prince of Wales Northern
Heritage Centre in Yellowknife,
or the Canadian Museum of
History in Gatineau, Quebec.
If an archaeological collection
comes from Inuit Owned
Lands, the Inuit Heritage Trust
decides where it will be sent.
If an archaeological collection
comes from lands other than
Inuit Owned Lands, then the
Nunavut Government decides
where it will go.
Where do the artifacts
collected during
archaeology projects get
sent?
Artifacts collected from
archaeological investigations
in Parks Canada protected
areas are stored in a specialized
building in Winnipeg,
Manitoba. The temperature and
humidity in this building is set
at levels which help to preserve
very fragile artifacts.
The Nunavut Land Claims
Agreement makes clear that
a specific building needs to
exist in Nunavut to house
archaeological collections from
the territory. This building has
35
Archaeological Artifacts in Nunavut
In some instances, an
archaeologist will need some
or all of the artifacts, animal
remains and original
documentation from their
project for continued research
or to write publications. If
this happens, the archaeologist
has to arrange an agreement
to borrow these artifacts from
the storage facility that has
been chosen by either the Inuit
Heritage Trust or Government
of Nunavut.
Can archaeological
artifacts be sold?
It is illegal for anybody to sell an
archaeological artifact that was
removed from an archaeological
site on or after June 15, 2001.
While it is legal to sell artifacts
found before this date, it is
illegal to take artifacts from an
archaeological site.
If someone wants to send an
artifact outside Canada for any
reason, including its sale, a
special permit must be obtained
under the terms of Canada’s
Cultural Property Export and
Import Act. More information
on the Act and on the steps to
apply for a permit can be found
by going to the Department of
Canadian Heritage website at
www.pch.gc.ca, and searching
on Movable Cultural Property
Program.
Sometimes Inuit communities
ask archaeologists to
return artifacts directly to
the community closest to
where they were found.
Archaeologists, however, are
not allowed to choose where
the artifacts go. Community
concerns or questions about
where artifacts are sent should
be directed to the Department
of Culture and Heritage.
36
Archaeological Artifacts in Nunavut
Today, it is rare that an entire
artifact would be destroyed by
analysis.
Are artifacts destroyed
when archaeologists
study them?
The Government of Nunavut
has developed a specific permit
that allows archaeologists
to destroy an artifact. On
the permit application, an
archaeologist must describe:
Archaeologists are specifically
trained to be careful while
collecting or handling artifacts.
It is very rare that an artifact
will purposely be broken or
destroyed. In some instances
an archaeologist will request
the removal of a small piece,
or sometimes a whole artifact
for tests. This is done for
various reasons. For example,
measuring the amount of
carbon in a piece of bone
will destroy it, but will also tell
us how old the bone is. This
helps to infer the age of the site
where the bone was found.
• The type of destructive
analysis they are seeking
authorization for;
• Where, and by whom the
analysis will be performed;
• Justification for the proposed
destructive analysis.
If the Department of Culture
and Heritage is satisfied with
the archaeologist’s application,
they will be allowed to destroy
part or all of the artifact.
As scientific techniques are
improved, smaller and smaller
pieces of an artifact are needed
for analysis. Some kinds of
testing can be done without
affecting the artifact at all.
37
Photographing Archaeological Artifacts and Sites
If you find an artifact on the
land that you have questions
about, take a photo of it on your
phone or camera rather than
bringing it with you. If taking
photos, it is important to know
that images of archaeological
artifacts can not be taken for
commercial purposes
without applying for a Class
1 archaeology permit first.
Photos taken of archaeological
sites without a permit are not
allowed to be sold.
What should I do if I find
an archaeological artifact,
or have artifacts at home?
Old artifacts should always
be left undisturbed if they are
found on the land. Sometimes
artifacts were collected by
people who did not know
they should leave them on
the ground. Often these are
handed down through friends
and families, and can be found
in homes. The best thing to do
with these objects is to keep
them in a way that makes sure
that they are both respected
and safe. What the regulations
in Nunavut try to prevent is the
continued removal of artifacts
from the land.
If you have questions about any
artifact at your house, you can
bring it to a local heritage center
or museum, or see if local elders
know more information about
it.
38
Photographing Archaeological Artifacts and Sites
3) Capture context
5 tips for photographing
archaeological artifacts
and sites
An artifact’s location is often
connected to the area that
surrounds it. Is an artifact near
an old tent ring? Is it close to
other objects that might have
been used alongside it? Try and
demonstrate these relationships
in pictures.
1) Be resourceful
Just because you don’t have
your camera with you doesn’t
mean that you can’t take a
photograph. Cameras are built
into many cell phones, ipads,
mp3 players and computers.
Don’t have any of these? Draw a
picture.
4) Objects and sites have
many sides
Take pictures of an artifact
or a site from multiple
2) Create scale
angles. Sometimes different
To show the size of an artifact or
perspectives will shed new light
site, place something of known
on an object and its original use.
size beside it for the photo, like
a coin (in closeups) or a person.
5) Location, location, location
Try to remember where your
photographs were taken and
include this information with
the photo. Sometimes it helps
to capture a visible landmark
in the photo or to take a GPS
reading.
39
Archaeological Sites in Nunavut
them to do so. This means that
Nunavummiut and other people
without permits should not:
What is considered to be
an archaeological site in
Nunavut?
• Dig up old antler and bone
from archaeological sites;
• Remove artifacts they find at
archaeological sites;
• Remove stones from old tent
rings, inuksuit and other
structures.
In Nunavut, an archaeological
site is considered to be any site
where an archaeological artifact
is found. A site can be as big as
a whole ancient campground,
or as small as a scattering of old
antler flakes from somebody
making a tool hundreds of years
ago. It is important to note that
archaeological sites are not only
areas formerly used by Inuit
people, but can include areas
with non-Inuit artifacts such
as explorers’ cairns and trading
post goods.
Many modern camping spots,
cabins and outpost camps
are near archaeological sites,
and these sites can become
threatened by modern camp
activities. It is recommended
that camp residents take
extra consideration of not
accidentally disturbing or
Who is allowed to
damaging their archaeological
heritage. If you go to a camp
excavate or alter an
or cabin and you come across
archaeological site?
archaeological evidence nearby,
please contact IHT for advice
No one is allowed to
on how to manage your camp
excavate, alter or disturb an
activities without threatening
archaeological site unless they
have a Class 2 permit that allows any old structures or artifacts.
40
Archaeological Sites in Nunavut
Even if an archaeological site
is under water, a permit is
still needed to disturb or take
things from it. This includes
shipwrecks, fish weirs and areas
where artifacts have fallen to the
bottom of lakes or the seabed.
With the exception of search
and rescue operations, no one
should go within 30 meters of
an underwater site unless they
have a Class 1 permit.
restored, it is still considered an
archaeological site, and a class 2
permit is needed by anyone who
wishes to dig there again.
What happens if
development and
construction projects
occur near
archaeological sites?
There are many forms of
development that can endanger
the archaeological sites of an
area. These include:
What happens to an
archaeological site when
an excavation is finished?
• Projects that cut lines
A person who excavates an
through the landscape, such
archaeological site has to restore
as the building of roads,
the site as close to its original
winter roads, and pipelines.
state as possible once the
• Projects that take things
excavation is finished. As part of
out of the ground, such as
Class 2 permit applications, an
mining, gravel and sand
archaeologist must specifically
removal and the creation of
describe what measures will be
landfills.
taken to restore a site once it
has been modified or excavated.
Even if a site has already been
fully excavated and
41
Archaeological Sites in Nunavut
• Projects that create heavy
2. A list is made of all
traffic on certain parts
the sites that might be
of the landscape, such
changed or damaged if
as recreational areas,
development takes place.
residential areas, and the use
It is the obligation of the
of heritage sites in tourism.
developer to hire and pay
• Projects that establish
for a qualified archaeologist
to obtain an archaeology
large scale camps and
infrastructure on the
permit and perform this
study. The developer will use
landscape, such as oil,
the results of the inventory
mineral and gas exploration.
to figure out costs and the
Before a development project
best way to proceed with the
even begins, there are several
development project.
steps that a developer has to
follow in relation to the area’s
3. The number and type of
archaeological sites:
archaeology sites near the
proposed development
1. Developers must have an
area are used to come up
initial heritage study done
with a measure of the area’s
on the land where work is
archaeological importance
going to take place. This
that helps decide what
study roughly identifies the
actions will be taken, either
number of archaeological
to avoid and fully protect
sites in the area, and the
the sites, or lessen the
likelihood of it being an
amount of harm that
important archaeological
development does to the
area.
sites.
42
Archaeological Sites in Nunavut
4. A mitigation plan has to be
built between developers
and the Department of
Culture and Heritage to
continue development in
the area. Options might
be to protect the area’s sites
and relocate development,
or to excavate and record
the sites and continue with
development as planned.
Are Inuit allowed to
harvest bones and ivory
from archaeological
sites to make carvings or
artwork?
In Nunavut, digging up old
sites to remove items without a
permit is not allowed. Even if
the whalebone and ivory found
in old sites has not been carved
or visibly altered, they are still
considered to be archaeological
artifacts.
5. Over the course of
construction, development
areas often have to be
monitored to make sure that
no new sites appear, and
that known sites are being
managed according to the
mitigation plan.
43
Human Remains
What are human remains?
Human remains and
grave goods
The Government of Nunavut
recognizes human remains
to be “skeletal, cremated or
any other traces of human
bodies within the context of
recognized cemeteries, marked
or unmarked graves, and
marked or unmarked surface or
subsurface locations.”
In the old days, it was common
practice for many Inuit to
provide the dead with tools
and small domestic items that
would be of use to them in the
afterworld. These items are
usually known as ‘grave goods,’
a term that references materials
directly associated with grave
sites, cemeteries, or human
remains. Grave goods are
protected under the same rules.
Whole skeletons or pieces of
human bone found out on
the land are included in this
category, even if there is no
obvious burial site near where
they are found. In traditional
times, Inuit often did not
bury the dead. Bodies were
commonly placed out in the
open, under skin covers, or
inside rock shelters. While
many of these remains ended
up scattered by wind, snow, and
animals, intact skeletons can
still be seen on the land today.
44
Human Remains
Can archaeologists dig
up human remains?
Grave goods have
traditionally been
considered as being offlimits to ownership and use
by the living. As Cambridge
Bay elder Mary Avalak
remembers from her
childhood:
The Government of Nunavut
has developed a specific set of
guidelines that archaeologists
have to follow around human
remains and grave goods.
These guidelines try to create
a balance between different
cultural understandings
of human remains. The
guidelines acknowledge that
human remains can provide
important information about
the past when they are properly
researched, but also take into
account spiritual and cultural
interests of Nunavummiut, as
well as the respect they have for
the remains of their ancestors.
“I start seeing those
old things, but
every time I go to
grab something out
of the ground my
grandmother says
“don’t touch it, it’s
not yours, it belongs
to somebody who
stayed there.” So I
was not allowed to
touch it.”
The 3 main rules for
archaeologists are as follows:
1. Human remains can only be
excavated by archaeologists
under special circumstances;
45
Human Remains
2. Archaeologists have to
What happens to
consult with community
excavated human
and Land Claim authorities
remains?
before the excavation or
collection of human remains
Most of the time, human
is allowed;
remains found by archaeologists
will be left in their original
3. When human remains
position, and excavation on the
are found during an
archaeological site will stop.
archaeological excavation,
If an archaeologist, Nunavut
digging in that part of the
authorities and affected
site must stop immediately.
The location of the remains communities agree that the
human remains should be
must be recorded and the
researched or analyzed, the
remains reburied as closely
remains will be respectfully
as possible to their original
excavated and brought to a
state.
designated research center.
In most cases, the locations
where human remains are
found are to be treated as
an archaeological site. Both
archaeologists and nonarchaeologists have to treat
that site in a way that follows
the laws and rules outlined
for both human remains and
archaeological sites.
46
Human Remains
What should I do if I
find human remains?
What rules should
developers follow around
human remains?
If you find human remains on
the land you should not move
them. If you think the remains
are recent rather than old,
you should report them to the
RCMP in your community.
When human remains are
found during a land use
operation or development
project, that project must stop
immediately. The owner of
the project must make sure the
appropriate authorities are
contacted, including:
• the RCMP;
• the Office of the Chief
Coroner;
• the Department of Culture
and Heritage.
The Department of Culture and
Heritage will provide developers
with assistance and advice to
help determine the next steps to
follow.
47
Archaeology in Conservation Areas
What are Special
Conservation Areas?
Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement.
This document contains policies
to protect archaeological
resources within the special
conservation area. Each area’s
administrative body has slightly
different policies for managing
archaeological resources,
although they often share many
similarities.
Nunavut has several types of
area under special protection.
These include areas that are
considered very important
for their wildlife, landscape,
and cultural resources. The
most common type of special
area in Nunavut is the Federal
Park (administered by Parks
Canada), Territorial Park
(administered by Department
of Environment, Nunavut
Parks), and the Wildlife, Marine
and Migratory Bird Sanctuary
(administered by Canadian
Wildlife Secretariat).
What areas are protected by Parks Canada?
When an area is managed by
Parks Canada it means that the
federal government has agreed
to protect the land because it
is significant in some way to
all of Canada. An area might
be selected for reasons such as
All of the special areas described
its natural beauty, its unique
above contain archaeological
ecology, or its historical or
resources. When these
cultural importance. There
special conservation areas are
are a variety of different areas
established, negotiations take
protected by Parks Canada:
place between federal, territorial
and Inuit organizations to
develop a document called an
48
Archaeology in Conservation Areas
• National Parks and National
Do archaeologists need Parks Reserves;
permits to work in Parks
• National Historic Sites;
Canada protected areas?
• National Marine
Conservation Areas
Archaeologists who want
and National Marine
Conservation Area Reserves; to do surveys, inventories
or excavation in areas
• Canadian Landmarks.
administered by Parks Canada
must obtain a Parks Canada
Who is responsible for
permit, instead of a permit
archaeology in areas
from the Government of
managed by Parks
Nunavut. This rule applies to
archaeologists employed by
Canada?
Parks Canada as well.
Areas managed by Parks
Canada are under federal
jurisdiction, so the territory
of Nunavut is not responsible
for archaeology on these lands.
Parks Canada has professional
archaeologists who do much
of the archaeology in Parks
Canada protected areas. Other
archaeologists can also work in
these areas, with an approved
Parks Canada research permit.
The archaeologist must
submit an application through
the Parks Canada on-line
Research and Collection
Permit System. This system
manages applications for the
entire country, rather than just
for Nunavut. The application
is received by the research
coordinator for that area, who
makes sure that it is forwarded
to specialists. Parks Canada
archaeologists review the
49
Archaeology in Conservation Areas
Applicants are strongly
encouraged to contact the Parks
Canada research coordinator
as soon as they decide on a
research project, before they file
their permit application. There
are two deadlines each year for
research permit applications:
February 28 for summer or fall
projects, and October 30 for
winter or spring projects. This
is to allow enough time for the
joint cooperative management
committee to meet and evaluate.
proposal to make sure
there are good reasons for
the work to take place, and
that it has a clearly outlined
strategy for restoring the
site afterward. Biologists,
ecologists and environmental
assessment specialists review
the application to identify any
concerns related to plants,
wildlife, water and human
health. Applications will also be
reviewed and approved by the
joint cooperative management
committee for that protected
heritage area, which is made up
of Inuit and non-Inuit members.
Parks Canada also maintains
communication with Nunavut
authorities in the Department
of Culture and Heritage, the
In the permit application,
Inuit Heritage Trust and the
researchers are asked whether
Nunavut Impact Review Board
Inuit have been given the
about any archaeological work
opportunity to review their
conducted in Parks Canada
proposal. Parks Canada may
reject a permit application if the protected areas in Nunavut.
proposal cannot demonstrate
Inuit support.
50
Archaeology in Conservation Areas
Does Parks Canada
archaeology involve
Inuit communities?
What should I do if I
find artifacts or sites in
Parks Canada protected
heritage areas?
To make sure Inuit are aware
of proposals for archaeological
research in Parks Canada
protected areas and have
the opportunity to raise any
concerns, Parks Canada requires
that researchers contact local
communities to discuss their
projects before Parks Canada
will issue a research permit.
Parks Canada also involves Inuit
by:
Artifacts and sites discovered
in areas administered by Parks
Canada should always be left
undisturbed. If a camera is
available, it is suggested that
a picture of the site or artifact
is taken. The finds can then
be reported to Parks Canada
staff. Staff members will contact
Parks Canada archaeologists
for advice on what they are and
what to do with them. As in the
rest of Nunavut, it is considered • Inviting Inuit elders from
nearby communities to
illegal to collect archaeological
participate in the design,
artifacts or alter old sites
review and implementation
without a permit.
of archaeological projects;
• Providing reproductions of
archaeological artifacts to
nearby communities upon
request;
51
Archaeology in Conservation Areas
• Bringing Inuit elders
• Wayside Parks for
and people familiar with
individuals travelling
particular sites or areas to
through the area;
participate in fieldwork;
• Historic Parks to protect and
• Employing community
commemorate historic and
archaeological sites.
members as archaeological
field assistants, bear
monitors and boat operators.
Who is responsible for
archaeology in
Territorial Parks areas?
What areas are protected
by Nunavut Parks?
Since Nunavut Parks is a
Nunavut Parks are Territorial
division in the Department of
Parks established under the
Environment, the Department’s
Government of Nunavut
Minister is responsible for the
Department of Environment.
implementation process and
There are several different types administration of Territorial
of Nunavut Parks:
Parks and the protection and
management of archaeological
• Natural Environment
Recreation Parks to preserve sites within the Territorial
Park limits. The Government
natural habitat;
of Nunavut can make special
• Outdoor Recreation Parks
agreements with individuals,
for Nunavummiut and
associations, municipalities and
visitors to enjoy outdoor
other organizations to
recreational activities;
administer and maintain a
• Community Parks to
particular Territorial Park.
provide recreational
opportunities for local
communities;
52
Archaeology in Conservation Areas
Parks Canada
Archaeology
Contact
Do archaeologists
need permits to work in
Territorial Parks areas?
Territorial Parks fall under
the same jurisdiction as other
lands administered by the
Government of Nunavut, so
archaeologists must follow
territorial rules and regulations
for obtaining permits and
excavating archaeological
sites within a Territorial Park’s
boundaries.
Cultural Resources
Management Officer
Parks Canada - Nunavut
Cultural Field Unit
P.O. Box 278
Iqaluit, NU
X0A 0H0
Telephone (867) 975-4676
Fax (867) 975-4674
Nunavut Parks
and Special Places
Archaeology Contact
What should I do if I
find artifacts or sites in
Territorial Parks areas?
P.O. Box 1000, Station 1340,
Iqaluit, Nunavut
X0A 0H0, Canada
Phone: (867) 975-7700
Fax: (867) 975-7747
Email: [email protected]
www.nunavutparks.com
If artifacts and sites are found
in Territorial Parks, they
should be treated the same as
artifacts found in other areas
of Nunavut. A Territorial Parks
Officer or Nunavut Parks in
Iqaluit can also be contacted
about the finds.
53
Archaeology and Nunavut Communities
• Collaborating with
local organizations and
people through open
communication, meetings
Community archaeology
and plain language reports;
is popularly referred to as
• Interviewing elders to
‘archaeology by the people
recover local oral history;
for the people.’ It is an
• Employing and training
approach that recognizes the
community members with
past as belonging equally
the goal of developing local
to archaeologists and nonheritage workers;
archaeologists. Recognizing
• Making research findings
that the past may be understood
public and available to
in different ways by different
communities through
people, community archaeology
presentations and easy to
tries to make sure that nonread papers;
archaeologists have equal
• Developing educational
control over how artifacts
resources, especially for
and sites are managed and
young people;
understood. This is often
• Giving communities control
accomplished by involving local
of the ways that heritage
communities in both planning
is marketed and promoted
and carrying out research
locally.
projects that interest them.
Popular ways of doing this
include:
What is community
archaeology?
54
Archaeology and Nunavut Communities
knowledge about the site
One of the main ideas
and artifacts;
that underlies community
archaeology is that the more
• Asking archaeologists to
stories people tell about the
present their work and the
past, the more the past (and its
findings of their excavations
meaning to present-day society)
to the community;
will be understood.
• Applying for job positions
to train and work on
archaeological sites;
What are some ways
that Nunavummiut can
become involved with
archaeology?
Nunavummiut can also ask
archaeologists to take part in
cultural programs that do not
necessarily involve excavation
or archaeological sites. Some
ways of doing this might
include:
Whether a project specifically
calls itself community
archaeology or not, there are
many ways that Nunavummiut
can become involved in how it
• Asking archaeologists to
takes place, and how it impacts
supply photos or knowledge
their community. One way to do
about old artifacts for toolthis is to participate directly in
building workshops and
archaeological excavations. This
technology revitalization
can include:
programs;
• Asking archaeologists to pay
• Visiting archaeological
visits to local schools to talk
excavations where
about the area’s history or
archaeologists are working
help with class projects;
to ask questions and offer
55
Archaeology and Nunavut Communities
• Asking archaeologists to
lend their knowledge of the
area’s history to help build
museum exhibits or write
plain language books that
will stay in the community.
Replicas can also be made
of excavated artifacts and left
in the community to use for
educational purposes.
Do archaeologists have
to hire Inuit for their
projects?
According to the Nunavut
Land Claims Agreement,
archaeologists have to employ
Inuit if they are qualified for
a job. As there are currently
few trained Nunavummiut
archaeologists, many
archaeologists concentrate on
hiring and training youth as
fieldworkers on archaeological
excavations. This gives young
people valuable experience in
scientific research. The Inuit
Heritage Trust is allowed to stop
an archaeologist from receiving
a permit to excavate in Nunavut
if they do not intend to employ
local Inuit.
The final way that
Nunavummiut can participate
in archaeology is by helping to
manage and preserve the past.
This includes:
• Leaving artifacts and
sites found on the land
undisturbed;
• Reporting artifacts and sites
that you think might be
important;
• Sharing stories about the
land.
Inuit Heritage Trust and
archaeology
The Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT)
is dedicated to preserving the
56
Archaeology and Nunavut Communities
heritage of Inuit people and
ensuring that Nunavummiut
are actively involved in the
research and interpretation of
the territory’s archaeological
artifacts and sites. IHT is
responsible for overseeing
community reviews in the
archaeology permit process
and for creating programs
that build local skills and
employment in archaeology.
These programs range from
archaeological field schools,
to heritage management
institutes and scholarships for
Inuit beneficiaries interested in
pursuing heritage-related fields
in university.
Visit the Inuit Heritage
Trust website
www. ihti.ca
for:
• More information on the
role the Inuit Heritage
Trust plays in Nunavut
archaeology;
• A list of programs and
scholarships to build
Nunavummiut skills
in archaeology and
heritage management;
• Information on how
to join the Nunavut
Heritage Network or
sign up for its news
letter.
57
Who to Contact with Questions and Concerns
I have taken a picture
of an artifact or site and
want to know what it is
I want to know who to
contact about
archaeology in Parks
Canada protected areas.
Ask around your community to
see if anyone knows what the
artifact is. Elders and heritage
centres are good sources of
information. You can also
email a photo of the artifact to
the Inuit Heritage Trust, who
will pass the photo along to a
professional archaeologist.
If you are interested in knowing
about work being done in Parks
Canada areas, contact their
Nunavut Field Unit in Iqaluit.
I want to take part in an
archaeological project
Contact the Inuit Heritage Trust
I want to know more
or visit their webpage to find
about archaeology being out which archaeology projects
done near my community and positions are being offered
in Nunavut communities.
The Inuit Heritage Trust,
Territorial Archaeologist and
the Department of Culture and
Heritage all have information
regarding past archaeology
projects and projects currently
being done near communities
across Nunavut.
I have found human
remains on the land.
What should I do?
If you think the remains might
be recent, or do not know how
old they might be, record their
position on the land and contact
your local RCMP station.
58
Who to Contact with Questions and Concerns
I know of archaeological
sites near my community
that are being disturbed
by developers or people
looking for artifacts.
I want to find out more
about history in Nunavut
There are many resources for
learning about Nunavut history.
Books about Inuit and Arctic
history are available in local
libraries, and the Internet also
has many relevant sites. Many
elders are willing to share stories
about their own past and earlier
events in Inuit history.
Take a photo of the damage
being done to the site and
email it to the Territorial
Archaeologist, along with a
description of the location,
to see if appropriate permits
have been applied for. If no
application for permits has
been made, the Territorial
Archaeologist will contact
appropriate authorities to
deal with the site disturbance.
If you have concerns about
cruise ship tourists disturbing
archaeological sites you
can also contact Nunavut
Tourism, the Department of
Economic Development and
Transportation or IHT.
I want to know specific
details about the
locations or contents of
archaeological sites in my
area.
To protect cultural sites from
damage, access to specific
information about sites in
Nunavut is restricted. An
application must be sent in to
the Territorial Archaeologist
detailing why the information is
needed.
59
Who to Contact with Questions and Concerns
Archaeologist or Inuit Heritage
Trust directly. If the research
issues are related to traditional
knowledge studies or work that
is not specifically archaeology,
you can contact the Nunavut
Research Institute with your
concerns.
I want to get a Class 1
permit to do tourism
or research with
archaeological sites.
Contact the Department of
Culture and Heritage Director
of Heritage or Territorial
Archaeologist for more
information about obtaining a
permit. Permit regulations can
also be found on-line at their
website (www.ch.gov.nu.ca). The
Inuit Heritage Trust is also able
to supply information on the
permit process.
I am worried that
archaeologists or
researchers are not doing
their job properly.
If you are worried about
research being done in your
community, have your local
hamlet office investigate, or
contact the Territorial
60
Who to Contact with Questions and Concerns
Contact Organizations in Nunavut
Director of Heritage
Environment Canada Prairie and Northern Region
Department of Culture and Heritage
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 1000, Station 800
Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0
Telephone (867) 975-5524
Fax (867) 975-5504
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas & Stewardship
Eastern Arctic Unit
P. O. Box 1714
Iqaluit, Nunavut
X0A 0H0
Telephone: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
email: [email protected]
Territorial Archaeologist
Department of Culture and Heritage
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 310
Igloolik, NU X0A 0L0
Telephone (867) 975-2046
Fax (867) 975-2047
email: [email protected]
Nunavut Parks and Special
Places
P.O. Box 1000, Station 1340, Iqaluit,
Nunavut
X0A 0H0, Canada
Phone: (867) 975-7700
Fax: (867) 975-7747
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nunavutparks.com
Heritage Manager
Inuit Heritage Trust
P.O. Box 2080, Iqaluit
NU X0A 0H0
Telephone (867) 979-0731
Fax (867) 979-6700
email: [email protected]
Cultural Resources
Management Officer
Parks Canada
Nunavut Field Unit
P.O. Box 278
Iqaluit, NU
X0A 0H0
Telephone (867) 975-4676
Fax (867) 975-4674
Research Liason
Nunavut Research Institute
Box 1720, Iqaluit, NU
XOA OHO
Building 959
Tel: 867 979-7279
e-mail: [email protected]
61
References and Resources
Booklet References
Resources for
Archaeology and
Community Research
Relationships in Nunavut
• Knud Rasmussen. 1931. The
Netsilik Eskimos: Social Life
and Spiritual Culture. Report
of the Fifth Thule Expedition
1921-24. Vol. 8 (1-2).
• Arctic Peoples and
Archaeology by Inuit
Heritage Trust
• Douglas Stenton. 2003.
Guidelines for Applicants
and Holders of Nunavut
Territory Archaeology and
Palaeontology Permits.
Nunavut Department of
Culture and Heritage.
Available at:
www.ch.gov.nu.ca
This multimedia CD outlines
the history of Arctic peoples in
Nunavut. The CD-ROM can be
purchased, or tried for free, at
the IHT website.
62
References and Resources
• Negotiating Research
Relationships: A Guide
for Communities by
Nunavut Research
Institute and Inuit
Tapiriit Kanatami.
• Taloyoak Stories of
Thunder and Stone by
Inuit Heritage Trust
This virtual exhibit explores the
history of the thunder house
and related archaeological
sites around the community of
Taloyoak. The website has many
teaching resources included for
Nunavut classrooms, and can be
found at:
www.taloyoaknunavut.ca
This booklet informs
Nunavummiut about their
rights and responsibilities when
participating in research.
• Ancient Harpoon
Heads of Nunavut,
and Ancient Stone
Tools of Nunavut,
by Robert Park and
Douglas Stenton
These booklets introduce
readers to the history of two
types of artifacts commonly
found in Nunavut. They can be
purchased from the Nunavut
Arctic College or Inuit Heritage
Trust website.
63
“When we speak about the origins
and history of our culture, we do so
from a perspective that is different
from that often used by non-Inuit who
have studied our past…Our history is
simply our history and we feel that the
time has come for us as Inuit to take
more control over determining what
is important and how it should be
interpreted. To be of value, our history
must be used to instruct our young
and to inform all of us about who we
are as Inuit in today’s world”
- Inuit Tapirisaat Kanatami 2012
www.itk.ca